Reborn to Become A Queen: The Real Heiress's Comeback-Chapter 456: Palace Banquet

"Liu Xi, what’s wrong?" Zhan Lan looked at her.

Liu Xi fell to her knees with a thud, "Thank you, Prince and Princess Consort, for taking the opportunity of His Majesty’s ascension and universal pardon to right the wrongs for my father."

Zhan Lan waved his hand, "No need to thank me, if you want to thank someone, thank the Prince. He was the one who saved your father back then, and now he has also cleared his grievances."

Liu Xi, with tears in her eyes, gratefully kowtowed to Zhan Lan and Mu Yan, "It was the Princess Consort and the Prince who gave the Liu family a second chance."

This morning she learned that her family’s old house had been returned, and her father had been reinstated to his position.

"Stand up, it’s because you are the Princess Consort’s most trusted maid." Mu Yan looked at Zhan Lan.

Zhan Lan wiggled his finger, gave a gentle smile, and took something out of his sleeve and handed it to Liu Xi.

Liu Xi took it, her pupils constricted sharply, and she looked at Zhan Lan in shock.

Zhan Lan slightly raised her chin, "Liu Xi, you are no longer my maid. This is your contract of sale, from now on you are the daughter of County Magistrate Liu, the legitimate daughter of the Liu family!"

Liu Xi looked into Zhan Lan’s eyes, "No, Princess Consort, are you trying to send me away?"

Zhan Lan helped her up, "Liu Xi, you and I have been through so much together, we can be said to be like sisters. I have never regarded you as a servant."

Liu Xi choked up, "But I don’t want to leave the Princess Consort."

Zhan Lan patted her shoulder, "Oh, think about Bai Chen, hurry up and get married!"

Mu Yan added, "If Bai Chen dares to bully you, you can report to the Princess Consort, and I will take care of him!"

Liu Xi’s cheeks suddenly turned red. She didn’t expect the Princess Consort and the Prince had noticed the matter between Bai Chen and her.

Furthermore, the Regent King was willing to support her for the sake of the Princess Consort.

Zhan Lan looked at Liu Xi’s dazed expression and knew that her feelings for Bai Chen were still uncertain. If Bai Chen hadn’t risked his life to save Liu Xi, Zhan Lan would definitely not have suggested she marry.

Because in her past life, she had experienced a failed relationship, and if she gave Liu Xi the wrong advice, it would be a grave mistake.

Zhan Lan thought for a moment and then changed her tone, "If you want to live alone, I support that too. After all, marriage is no trivial matter, you should consider it for yourself."

Liu Xi’s heart was in turmoil. She was used to being with Zhan Lan, and now she had to make a choice, she was at a loss.

Zhan Lan helped her straighten her collar, "Your father can retire in half a year and come to live in Ding’an City, you can accompany him."

"You can continue living in the mansion, if you want to get married, I’ll prepare a dowry for a grand wedding; if not, take some silver, buy a house and live your life!"

Tears flowed uncontrollably down Liu Xi’s face, she was actually reluctant to leave Zhan Lan.

In this world, it’s probably impossible to find another master as good as Zhan Lan.

"Alright, alright, don’t cry, go play with Xue Lingling, the Princess Consort and the Prince have matters to discuss." Zhan Lan urged.

"Yes!" Liu Xi smiled, nodded, and left.

Zhan Lan and Mu Yan went to the study together, and Zhan Lan stared at Mu Yan for a long time.

Mu Yan hooked her waist and pulled her to him, "What’s wrong, Mengmeng, why are you looking at me like that? You know I have no resistance to you."

Zhan Lan caressed his cheek, "Today, I saw Left General Xie Yuanzhang from Eastern Wei look surprised at you, so I found it strange."

Mu Yan held her hand, with a bit of defiance, said, "Blame it on this face of mine, it’s not unusual. Many people react this way when they see me, it’s just that madam didn’t notice."

"Prince, you are indeed shameless!" Zhan Lan glanced at him.

Mu Yan curled his lips, then showed displeasure, "Mengmeng, today in the court, you were looking at others, you didn’t even look at me."

"You have the nerve to say that, you were staring at me, I didn’t know where to look!"

Mu Yan raised an eyebrow, "If I don’t look at my lovely wife, what’s there to see in those stinky men!"

Zhan Lan poked his cheek, "What’s the competition in two days? Can you give me a hint in advance?"

"Afraid now?"

"I’m not afraid!"

"Mengmeng, just treat it like a game, with your husband here, no need to feel pressured."

"Hah, they should be the ones feeling pressured!" Zhan Lan smiled proudly.

"I love your fearless and confident demeanor!"

"Hahaha, don’t pinch my waist, I’m afraid, I’m ticklish..."

...

To welcome the envoys of the three nations, a palace banquet was organized in the palace.

Mu Yan and Zhan Lan were seated at the place of honor, while Si Yun sat at the host’s seat and looked at everyone, "Today, I invite all the envoys to enjoy songs and dances and taste fine wines."

After drinking a cup of wine, he raised his hand to the crowd, indicating the feast had begun.

Zhan Lan sat opposite Ye Xiuhan, while Princess Si Yao sat opposite Mu Yan.

Ye Xiuhan only glanced at Zhan Lan before retracting his gaze.

Mu Yan’s gaze fell on Ye Xiuhan’s face, he felt a strange familiarity, but couldn’t recall why.

Si Yao observed the subtle glances among the three, and smiled slightly.

She turned her head to look at Marquis Lin Yuan Si Yuzhang sitting slightly lower.

Marquis Lin Yuan gave a deep, inscrutable smile.

The palace dancers, in light gauze, danced gracefully, their figures slender and lithe, captivating the gaze of Tuoba Xiong, the Eldest Prince of Western Rong.

In Western Rong, women were known for their voluptuous figures, tall statures, whereas these Nanjin women appeared like delicate willows swaying in a breeze, evoking a desire to cherish them.

Baili Jiang glanced at the Eldest Prince, knowing that this was typical; when seeing beautiful women, he couldn’t move forward.

Here they were, at a four-nation banquet, yet the Eldest Prince was acting unrestrained, bringing shame to Western Rong.

Among the ensemble of dancers in green dresses, suddenly, a woman in a red dress twirled elegantly, her sleeves flying as she glided in.

As the music picked up pace, her movements became increasingly dynamic; her alabaster hands danced fluidly, her hem fluttered in the air, and her smoke-like eyes seemed to speak and stay silent simultaneously, reflecting flickers of light.

Her clothes swirled with her body’s movements, her eyes shifting with radiant charm, evoking the beauty of a lotus emerging from water, embodying utmost allure in every gesture.

Si Yuzhang loved watching dancers, couldn’t help but whisper appreciatively, "Her dance spins the red sleeves, her song draws in the green gem, this woman is exquisite!"

Tuoba Xiong’s eyes were wide open; he had never imagined a woman’s figure could be so tender, and she was so captivatingly pretty, he felt a stir in his heart.

However, how come the woman always danced before the Regent King, her charming demeanor seemed to intentionally seduce him.

Indeed, women do prefer handsome men.

Tuoba Xiong clenched his fists in anger; the Regent King already had a remarkably beautiful Princess Consort, yet he was still enchanting other women.

Although the Regent Princess Consort was even more beautiful than this dancer, she was a martial arts expert, once severing the arm of their previous main general; he dared not lust after her.

But towards the dancer before him, he instantly developed a desire to conquer.

According to the customs of Western Rong, if a desired woman liked another man, one had to defeat the man in a fight, and the woman would be his!